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- looks like Kenpachi is way above H2-Ichigo (the hollow form in which Ichigo fought Ulq),

- Kenpachi was recognized as a big thread by (Shinigami) Aizen, this itself says how strong he was even before time skip,

- Fake Bach easily owned Kenpachi (who is way above H2-Ichigo) and it seems that the real one is even stronger than the fake, plus he acquired Yamamoto's bankai... looks like he might be even stronger than Ichigo after the time tunnel meditation, though I'm not sure about FGT - Mugetsu,

- the 8th Kenpachi will most likely return as Aizen's partner in the future, or so it seems,

- oh damn, Szayzel was initially stronger than Yamy (Espeda 0) and was originally the strongest Espeada ever. His reiatsu power level is comparable with H2-Ichigo, but because of his capability to rationally think and use special techniques-abilities, he is most likely stronger. Still, the 8th Kenpachi is stronger than that and Zaraki even stronger than the 8th...yep, bleach power levels, just lol ;P.

A real Colossal Sword, is only Colossal when it is at least 5 times bigger than the thing you pilot:

If they're not written by Kubo,I can't refer to them as canon. Even if the author of Bleach says it's canon,sorry doesn't count.

So, some of Bleach's backgrounds and special effects and lines (for dramatic effects) are not canon as well because they are not made by Kubo (since they are made by his assistance - according to what Bakuman presented ;p) ? Kubo even mentions that he wanted to do himself the last fight in a similar manner, and is very surprised how well it was presented. So basically HE/SHE/IT (the winner of the last fight) would have been this overpowered one way or the other . Not to mention that the second novel ends with Rukia Stabbing Ichigo with the Spirit Sword, I think it is even the same page as in the manga .

Anyway, some scenes are pretty sweet and cute in the second novel ( I forgot to mention that both of them belong to the "Missing Link" project, which aim was to present what was happening within those 17 months of Ichigo being powerless):

Spoiler!

- the part were Byakuya gave Rukia the gloves, which were specifically modified for her, so that she won't get cold or frostbites from using her shikai,
- how Rukia finally overcame the need to substitute for her dead older sister along with being promoted to VC thanks to Byakuya's recommendation - both of them were the reasons why she changed her hair-style,
- that Hinamori was finally able to move on and replaced Aizen with Hirako (it took some time thought) - I heard that this scene was especially well made and had great impact with Japanese language (it doesn't translate well ;P),
- how the Dogi Captain was the one that persuaded Yamamoto to help Ichigo in regaining his powers,
- how Yamamoto abolished the exile order from Urahara's gang and from the Vizards, it really showed how heavy the word "exile" was for Urahara and how much it meant for him that it was abolished,
- and more .

Oh right some other things worth mentioning from the first novel:

Spoiler!

- all 4 of the great SS families were mentioned, or at least it's members. Hikifune (the newest and only known member of Squad Zero) and the 8th Kenpachi belonged to the 2 remaining noble families,
- a few arrancars appeared, they even explained why Nel can't return and be stable in her adult form,
- there seems to be at least one more powerful person within the prison that Aizen and the 8th Kenpachi with his Sword Spirit were,
- Shayzel story is quite interesting, especially the fact that he was an alchemist when he was human and was pretty much doing what he did in HM ,
- the novel even suggested what Zaraki's Shikai ability truly is. It looks like it has something to do with air, or cutting uncut-able things.

A real Colossal Sword, is only Colossal when it is at least 5 times bigger than the thing you pilot:

Nice find, it would really be cool to read some background info on Kenpachi and the people from before Ichigo. And I have to agree with Zero, if Kubo is saying that this counts as part of his work and was intended then I would count it as official. Lets just see if they put it in a data book or something from Kubo himself

Man what the fuck. Why are these semi-important, plot revealing stories happening outside of the main serial? But wait did Kubo say this was Canon? I can't find that statement anywhere.

The thing is, there is NO statement that they are NOT canon, while for other medias, like games and movies, there was one regarding them not being canon (if Kubo wasn't ok with the stories in them, then he would put a statement regarding them not being part of the official story). Beside they explain the state of things that are currently present in the manga, yet weren't before the time-skip, like Ruki'a new hair style and etc.

Well, they are only semi-important, to the point that they currently do not have much impact on the story. If they didn't exist, the story wouldn't change much anyway, so there really isn't any problem. It was meant to widen the Bleach world and make the story deeper. Plus it's not like there weren't any other Bleach Light Novels before the "Missing Link" project.

What's more, I saw other manga series that had beside them additional light novels, like D.Gray-Man, and those are considered canon.

Basically, as long as there is no mention of them not being canon, they are considered canon. Especially as the books were printed awhile ago and they would have a certain sentence in them if that sentence was needed (for example at the end, postscript etc.).

A real Colossal Sword, is only Colossal when it is at least 5 times bigger than the thing you pilot:

The thing is, there is NO statement that they are NOT canon, while for other medias, like games and movies, there was one regarding them not being canon (if Kubo wasn't ok with the stories in them, then he would put a statement regarding them not being part of the official story). Beside they explain the state of things that are currently present in the manga, yet weren't before the time-skip, like Ruki'a new hair style and etc.

Well, they are only semi-important, to the point that they currently do not have much impact on the story. If they didn't exist, the story wouldn't change much anyway, so there really isn't any problem. It was meant to widen the Bleach world and make the story deeper. Plus it's not like there weren't any other Bleach Light Novels before the "Missing Link" project.

What's more, I saw other manga series that had beside them additional light novels, like D.Gray-Man, and those are considered canon.

Basically, as long as there is no mention of them not being canon, they are considered canon. Especially as the books were printed awhile ago and they would have a certain sentence in them if that sentence was needed (for example at the end, postscript etc.).

I see. Well thanks for the clarification regarding canon status of this. I just hope that the hints and implications about the character development of Zaraki doesn't weaken the impact of his character development later in the story when it comes time for Kubo to eventually do it.